UGF, modified?

I recently bought a quite small tank (haven't actually checked the volume yet, but 2-3 gallons) with a UGF plate. I'd like to use it for... I don't know... shrimp or short-term fry growout or a juvenile betta... but my budget is very tight.

Buying an airlift tube and running the UGF is by far the most cost-effective way to get the tank up and running, but I don't want to need to empty the tank and clean under the plate very often. What if I put a layer or two of filter floss on top of the plate but under the gravel, catching crud before it reaches the bottom? Would that reduce maintenance? Would it lower the filter's ability to circulate water?

 

I would remove the filter plate and just use a sponge filter if it is for fry/inverts (small bio load). It will do at least the same if not better job then the ugf because you will not get the buildup in the gravel and under the plate like you will with the plate.


Hope that helps and good luck,
Outlaw

 

That's definitely an option I've considered, but it would cost a few bucks more than the UGF airlift tube. Only a few dollars, of course, but like I said... I'm on a TIGHT budget.

I'll spend what I have to. I just don't want to spend any more than necessary.

 

Why don't you diy a sponge filter then? Its very easy, and cheap IMO, UGF are one, if not the worst type of filter.

 

UGF are the worst filter types. The myth that you don't have to clean them is a lie. Every 3 -4 months I had to clean my hex tank because of the one I had in there. What a piece of rubbish - (Do you have any idea what a mission it is to clean a UGF when there is still a fish in there????)

Trust me, a sponge filter is the best thing you can do. I've used some (coupled with others) on my old 180gallon. They were great at mechanical filtration in a good area and are an amazing place for bacteria to grow...

Just believe me, you don't want a UGF, a reverse UGF maybe, but that needs to be coupled with another filter anyway in order to be effective. Sponge filter for that size tank, or no filter with daily water changes.

 

(Do you have any idea what a mission it is to clean a UGF when there is still a fish in there????)

I have an idea, yes, although I haven't tried it. If I decide to do a shrimp tank, I guess I'll try DIY'ing a sponge filter, or just fork over the money for a pre-built filter.

Of course, if I end up using it as a short-term fry tank, I might just go with the UGF. Platy fry don't take that long to reach too-big-to-eat size, so I could just clean the filter plate every time I move out the fry anyway.

 

Assuming you have the aerator plus addition hose.

UGF Tube- 3.50


Pre-Filter- 2.50


And some filter floss to fill in the bottom and done. Under 10bucks.

Put the tube into the filter, floss to fill in bottom hole, run air hose down tube, turn on aerator.

 

Assuming that the tank will only run as a temporary thing then that does reduce the irritation of cleaning, but even with that knowledge, a small corner filter or sponge filter will work really well. You can get a really small airpump to power a spongy for a tank that small, but a big one will do just the same if not more.

Do you have an airpump/Aerator device?

 

No need for the filter floss. Just use the undergravel as normal. You clean it when you do a water change by giving it a gravel clean. It's simple. Even the dirt under the plates is sucked out.

I just stripped a 22 year old undergravel in my 6' x 18 x 18 aquarium (90 gallon) and there was very little dirt on the glass bottom, just a very light covering. I was setting up a new bigger and better undergravel as it is the best filter for my application (I keep Clown Loaches).

There has to be some dirt as this is the bacteria (bacterial flocculation) that breaks down the ammonia and allows you to keep fish. Nobody should be alarmed by a little bacterial floc. All filters have it and all filters are by definition part of the tank (even if they are sited outside the tank).

Don't let people put you off your undergravel filter. Give it a try and see if it works for you like it does for me.

Mine is cheap to buy, cheap to run, reliable, long-lived, less likely to cause a flood, and most of all it is tremendously effective, creating much better water quality.

I wouldn't trust the health of my 18 year old fish to anything else and you couldn't argue with my success with undergravel filters even if you were prejudiced against them.

Just remember that normal aquarium rules i.e. cycling apply.

 

Assuming you have the aerator plus addition hose.

UGF Tube- 3.50


Pre-Filter- 2.50


And some filter floss to fill in the bottom and done. Under 10bucks.

Put the tube into the filter, floss to fill in bottom hole, run air hose down tube, turn on aerator.

Wouldn't there need to be holes cut into the UGF tube so that the water would pass through the prefilter sponge? (Also, I hadn't realized those sponges were that cheap... although it's still more expensive than just buying the tube!

Do you have an airpump/Aerator device?

Yes, I've got several airpumps sitting around... bought secondhand in a big tub of goodies (remind me to brag sometime about the amazing deal I got ), and some seem to be 20-30 years old! This was one of the attractions for running the UGF -- I already have the most expensive piece.

Don't let people put you off your undergravel filter. Give it a try and see if it works for you like it does for me.

You know, that's a point. There would be little harm in trying the UGF and checking it a month or two down the road (with water tests in the meantime, obviously) to see how clean it is under the plate. If it it's collecting uglies, I can re-evaluate my filtration at that time.

 

Honestly, I've had mixed results with undergravel filters. Sometimes they work flawlessly for years, and sometimes they can really mess a tank up. Here are my findings for success with an undergravel filter:

Strong water flow. The filter won't work if there isn't enough air flow though the tubes.

Thick gravel layer. A thick layer of fine gravel(not the normal stuff) makes a world of difference. The finer the gravel the more debris it can catch.

Regular maintenance. With a UGF, te gravel is the filter media. If you don't gravel vacuum enough trash builds up under in the filter and causes the tank to crash. You have to clean the filter before too much gunk makes its way under the plate.

Those are my tips for success. They can be great filters for lightly stocked community tanks.



using Tapatalk

 

Wouldn't there need to be holes cut into the UGF tube so that the water would pass through the prefilter sponge? (Also, I hadn't realized those sponges were that cheap... although it's still more expensive than just buying the tube!

Here's what I was thinking.


Another alternative to the UGF tube would be PVC. I bought an 8' length of 1/2" for around 2 bucks. You would need a little more DIY to make it work but could save you money over the UGF tube.

pvc 1/2" x 10ft - $1.29 (Home Depot)
pvc cap 1/2" - $.28 (Home Depot)
Prefilter- $2.50 (Pet Smart)
Total- $4.07

You could save more by not buying 10' though which would bring you under your initial cost.

 

Here's what I was thinking.

Aha! That's cool, thanks. I'll have to keep that in my bag of options.